13.1
On entering public life, though still a mere stripling, he immediately humbled all the other popular leaders except Phaeax, the son of Erasistratus, and Nicias, the son of Niceratus. These men made him fight hard for what he won. Nicias was already of mature years, and had the reputation of being a most excellent general; but Phaeax, like himself, was just beginning his career, and, though of illustrious parentage, was inferior to him in other ways, and particularly as a public speaker.
13.2
He seemed affable and winning in private conversation rather than capable of conducting public debates. In fact, he was, as Eupolis says,In his Demes (Kock, Com. Att. Frag. i. p. 281) A prince of talkers, but in speaking most incapable. And there is extant a certain speech written by PhaeaxThis has come down to us among the orations of Andocides (Andoc. 4). It is clearly a fictitious speech, put by its unknown author into the mouth of Phaeax (cf Andoc. 4.2 and 41). Against Alcibiades, wherein, among other things, it is written that the city’s numerous ceremonial utensils of gold and silver were all used by Alcibiades at his regular table as though they were his own.
